Prostate cancer Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and review of the issues related to service connection, including prostate cancer, low back disorder, herpes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The effective date for the grant of service connection for prostate cancer is being reviewed.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The reduction of his prostate cancer rating from 100 to 10 percent was denied.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings were denied as the earliest date of claim was September 20, 2007. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent, and erectile dysfunction is not compensable.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to his service, specifically exposure to TCE.

The Veteran's death was caused by pulmonary fat emboli, which were not related to his service-connected conditions. The Board found that the service-connected prostate cancer and PTSD did not cause or materially contribute to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, which he contends is related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam, was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of such exposure and the medical opinions linking prostate cancer to Agent Orange were not probative due to the lack of service in Vietnam. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left wrist remains pending.

The Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer resulted in the usage of absorbent pads that required changing 2 times per day from November 30, 2006 to January 26, 2009. On and after January 26, 2009, the Veteran's residuals of prostate cancer resulted in the usage of absorbent pads that required changing 6 to 7 times per day. The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the period from November 30, 2006 to January 26, 2009 and a 60 percent rating on and after January 26, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer, linked to exposure to herbicides during his time at NAS Atsugi in Japan, is being remanded due to the need for further verification of Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected prostate cancer residuals was granted, with a 20 percent rating effective August 1, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and prostate cancer, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is currently before the Board due to a remand for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues are whether he should receive an increased disability rating for prostate cancer residuals and whether he qualifies for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for prostate cancer. The claim of service connection for a left thigh and leg disability was remanded but ultimately denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 9, 2004 for service connection and a convalescent rating for prostate cancer was denied as no formal or informal claims were received before that date.

The Veteran's disability from residuals of prostate cancer, post-radical prostatectomy requires the use of absorbent materials which must be changed at least two times per day and sometimes three times a day. The Board finds that this symptomatology more closely approximates the criteria for a 40 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for prostate cancer was denied as he did not meet the requirements under VA regulations for a retroactive award due to lack of evidence of intent to apply for service connection prior to July 13, 2005.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current hypertensive vascular disease to a service-connected condition, specifically prostate cancer with penile dysfunction. As such, the claim for secondary service connection for hypertension is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected prostate cancer residuals was denied. The initial rating of 20 percent prior to April 3, 2007, and the subsequent increase to 60 percent after that date were both found not to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss is service-connected due to noise exposure during service. However, there is no evidence linking his prostate cancer to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of prostate cancer have been rated at 60 percent since May 5, 2009. Prior to that date, the evaluation was increased to 60 percent effective from May 5, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or contributed to by his service-connected conditions, and there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to his active duty service.